Satanism isn’t a single unified religion; it’s an umbrella term for a range of philosophical, spiritual, and religious movements that use Satan (or similar figures) as a symbol, archetype, or deity. Broadly, there are two main categories: atheistic (symbolic) and theistic (spiritual or devotional) Satanism.

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Atheistic (Symbolic)Satanism

This is the most common form in modern times.
Satan is seen not as a literal being but as a symbol of individualism, freedom, and rebellion against arbitrary authority or dogma.

🔹 The Church of Satan (founded 1966 by Anton LaVey)

• Based on The Satanic Bible (1969).

• Does not worship Satan as a deity.

• Promotes rational self-interest, personal responsibility, and indulgence over guilt or asceticism.

• Has rituals, but these are mostly theatrical and symbolic — meant for psychological catharsis.

• Morality is based on reciprocity and pragmatism rather than divine command.

🔹 The Satanic Temple (founded 2013)

• Also atheistic and non-theistic.

• Uses Satan as a literary symbol of rebellion and freedom from religious authority.

• Focuses on activism, secularism, and social justice — for example, promoting religious pluralism and the separation of church and state.

• Has “Seven Tenets” that emphasize compassion, reason, and bodily autonomy.

 Theistic (Spiritual) Satanism

This is a minority position.
Followers believe Satan (or a similar entity like Lucifer) is a real spiritual being worthy of respect, worship, or personal connection.

Examples include:

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• Luciferianism

•  sees Lucifer as a bringer of light, knowledge, and self-empowerment; sometimes overlaps with occult or esoteric practices.

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• Anticosmic Satanism This branch of Satanism views Satan as an energy rather than an actual diety. This energy is what they call chaos and takes heavy inspiration from Gnosticism. For in the Nag Hamadi the Demiurge created the cosmos from Chaos. Since Anticosmic Satanist view chaos as the ultimate reality that exists within and beyond the cosmic creation of the demiurge. They seek to return to pre-creation  status by worshipping death and invoking the ruinous powers of the Qliphoth which they view as different manifestations of chaos. 

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• Diabolism

• These are reverse Christians who blaspheme the church by worshipping the Christian Satan. They sell there soul to the devil in hopes of gaining favor and mercy in Hell. When Christian's think of Satanists they usually think think of Diabolism. Everything the god of the bible commands Diabolists do the exact opposite. There views on Satan may vary but they often view Satan and god as in league with each other and that Satan's fulfilling gods will and by becoming a Diabolist you are still carrying out the lords work. 

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• Pantheistic Satanism

• These are Satanists who worship the Balphomet. The Balphomet is a deity created by Alevis Levi to represent the acsension of ones own godhood through the equilibrium of corespondence. Pantheistic Satanists often argue that every pagan practice and culture are satanists since they tend to have adversary type deities in there pantheon that you could work with.

 Misconceptions

• Satanism ≠ evil or criminal acts. Mainstream Satanist groups condemn harm to others and reject superstition about “devil worship” or “sacrifices.”

• It’s not necessarily anti-Christian — atheistic forms simply reject all supernaturalism, while theistic ones reinterpret the mythos differently.